Are environmental concerns shaping travel habits?

The rising profile of environmental campaigning is causing some travellers to turn their backs in air travel, a new study has claimed.

A fifth of people surveyed by Swiss bank UBS said they had reduced the amount they fly during the last 12 months, citing concerns over climate as the key factor.

The spread of ‘flight shaming’ has seen travellers in certain countries looking for alternative means of getting around, although the impact differs from country to country.

In the UK for example, 16% of travellers admitted to cutting the amount they fly, compared to around a quarter of US travellers.

The results have led the Swiss bank to suggest that growth in passenger numbers could potentially be halved should the trends continue.

Climate change on the political agenda

The study points to the work of Swedish schoolgirl Greta Thunberg, one of several people individuals pushing a climate agenda, as being a possible trigger for a change in flying habits, especially in the US and Europe.

More than 6,000 people across the USA, Germany, France and the UK were quizzed for the survey, with 21% overall saying they had cut their flying hours.

The latest survey, which follows a similar one carried out in May, shows a marked change in passenger habits, with USB suggesting that the number of flights in the EU could rise by just 1.5% a year – half the rate expected by leading aircraft manufacturer Airbus.

Meanwhile, global air travel is growing at a rate of between 4% and 5% a year, showing that travel for both business and leisure purposes remains in demand.

Enhancing public transport networks

Several high-profile cities have also taken steps to boost the appeal of their public transport systems in the last few years, including offers and upgrades on the New York subway system, the Paris Metro and Berlin’s extensive train network.

All are designed to make it easier for travellers to get around, although there are instances where a hire car may be a better option for the flexibility and freedom it can provide.

Of course, if you do opt to hire a vehicle, you’ll want to ensure that you have adequate insurance to cover all possibilities.

Additional cover in the form of car hire excess insurance, which covers the excess you would need to pay should the hire car be damaged, can provide peace of mind and doesn’t cost as much as you may think – especially when purchased online via a third party.